General Motors is facing growing scrutiny as a series of lawsuits and owner complaints converge around its L87 6.2-liter V8 engine—an optional powerhouse found in many of the automaker’s top-selling full-size trucks and SUVs. Alleged defects in the engine’s internal components are fueling frustration among owners, and the backlash is intensifying despite a broad recall earlier this year.
The latest class action lawsuit, filed in a Pennsylvania federal court, accuses GM of failing to adequately address a critical flaw in the L87 engine. Specifically, the suit alleges that a defect in the connecting rod or crankshaft can result in premature bearing failure—an issue that can lead to catastrophic engine damage, including full engine seizure or a rod breaching the engine block.
Affected vehicles span a wide array of GM’s premium and volume-selling models from the 2021 to 2024 model years, including the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, as well as the GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL.
A Recall That Raises More Questions Than It Answers
In January 2025, GM issued a recall affecting over 597,000 vehicles equipped with the L87 engine. The remedy varied by vehicle: while some were slated for full engine replacement, others were only given an oil change—switching to 0W-40 oil, a new oil filter, and an updated oil cap.
However, this fix has not quelled public or legal concern. Plaintiffs in the latest lawsuit, along with those in at least two other ongoing legal challenges, argue that the recall doesn’t go far enough. They claim the campaign offers an “inadequate and incomplete” remedy, failing to permanently resolve what they see as a serious safety and reliability issue.
Real-World Fallout
Among the plaintiffs is Farrah Forrest, who alleges her 2022 Cadillac Escalade experienced a major engine failure in late 2024. Although her vehicle’s engine was replaced under warranty, she reports that the repair process took three weeks—during which she was not provided with a loaner vehicle.
Interestingly, the two other named plaintiffs in the case, Mezanur Rahaman and Gerald Reed, haven’t experienced failures themselves but say they’ve lost confidence in the reliability of their vehicles and criticize GM’s response as lacking transparency and urgency.
A History of Complaints
While the lawsuit is new, GM has been aware of the issue for some time. An internal investigation reportedly unearthed more than 28,000 customer complaints or related incidents in the U.S. tied to the L87 engine. Despite this, the automaker closed the investigation in February 2022, and sales of vehicles equipped with the engine continued without interruption.
Moreover, L87 owners have reported a host of related performance issues, including abnormal shifting, reduced power, and hesitation during acceleration, suggesting that the defect may be symptomatic of broader drivetrain instability.
What’s Next for GM—and Its Customers?
GM has yet to publicly comment on the most recent legal action, but the growing list of lawsuits underscores a potential reputational risk for the brand, especially among buyers who prioritize reliability in the high-end SUV and truck market.
If courts find in favor of plaintiffs, GM may be forced to revise its recall strategy or provide broader compensation. Meanwhile, owners are left in a state of uncertainty—some waiting for failure, others wondering whether their engine is a ticking time bomb.
For GM, a brand that has heavily leaned into premium truck and SUV offerings in recent years, the stakes are high. The L87 engine was meant to symbolize performance and durability. Instead, it’s become the focal point of a legal and technical headache that shows no signs of going away.
Source: GM